Caffeinated Reviewer

The first book in a new Regency romance series, an heiress and a rogue accidentally end up in a secret marriage of convenience.

In a desperate bid to keep her fortune out of her cousin’s hands, shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed marries a condemned criminal in Newgate prison. The scoundrel’s first kiss is shockingly heated, but Georgie never expects to see her husband again. Until she spots him across a crowded ballroom. Notorious rogue Benedict Wylde never expected a wife. He was in Newgate undercover, working for Bow Street. To keep their marriage of convenience a secret, Wylde courts Georgie in public, but the more time they spend together, the more their attraction sparks. Could an heiress with the world at her feet find happiness with a penniless rake? Kate Bateman's This Earl of Mine is a delightful start to the Bow Street Bachelors series, with witty banter, dynamic characters, and swoon-worthy romance.

This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman is the first novel in the Bow Street Bachelors series and when I saw that it featured an arranged marriage with a prisoner no less, I knew I had to listen. Narrated by Beverley A. Crick this delightful tale delivered heat, swoons and plenty of suspense!

If your cousin was a pariah like Josiah, it wouldn’t be hard for you to imagine how Georgiana Caversteed ended up in Newgate exchanges vows with a condemned man. But that is exactly how our story opens.

Georgiana is the eldest Caversteed daughter. Her father made their family’s wealth in shipping and left the bulk of it for Georgiana to manage. Every man who has asked for her hand has bulked or declined after reading the terms of her marriage contract. It seems they were only interested in her coiffeurs. When her cousin tries to force himself on her, she takes matters into her own hand. She’ll marry a condemned prisoner and be a happy, wealthy widow….. only the man she marries is working undercover for Bow Street, and a second son. Oh, my…. I laughed, swooned and became completely caught up in this tale.

Bateman did a fine job of sharing the Bow Street Bachelors stories, particularly that of notorious rogue Benedict Wylde. Benedict is penniless and trying to help his brother restore their families’ coiffures. How does a penniless rogue convince an heiress he cares about her and not her assets?

Georgiana is headstrong, fearless and knowledgeable when it comes to finances, business, and the shipyard, but she knows nothing about men and love. Seeing these two work out an arrangement, grow close and ultimately fall for one another was delightful.

Bateman brought heat, tender moments, character growth and tugged at my heartstrings. The relationship felt genuine and I couldn’t help but wish for a happily ever after.

Secondary characters from Georgiana’s sister, her admirer and his poetry added interest. Even the cheeky informant added to the tale and left me grinning. We got to meet the other bachelors and I confess I am looking forward to their stories.

Beverley A. Crick was delightful as the narrator. I thought she did a fine job with all of the voices, but really captured Georgiana. This was my first time with her and will look for other works she has narrated.

If you are a fan of Regency romance, dashing rogues, arranged marriages and sassy heroines then grab your earbuds and fall in love with This Earl of Mine.

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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